Electric power and data communications within a fuel tank and across a wall of the fuel tank using resistive non-metallic wire

ABSTRACT

A system for power and data communications within a fuel tank and across a wall of the fuel tank includes a fuel height sensor and a sealed connector extending through a wall of a fuel tank. The system also includes an electric power connection between the fuel height sensor and the sealed connector. The system additionally includes an internal data communications connection between the fuel height sensor and the sealed connector, wherein the electric power connection comprises a resistive non-metallic wire.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/820,328, filed Mar. 19, 2019 which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/670,257, entitled “Electric Power and Data Communications within aFuel Tank and across a Wall of the Fuel Tank Using ResistiveNon-Metallic Wire and an Optical Hybrid Fuel Height Sensor,” filed thesame date as the present application and incorporated herein byreference.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/670,286, entitled “Electric Power and Data Communications within aFuel Tank and across a Wall of the Fuel Tank Using ResistiveNon-Metallic Wire and a Sealed Active Connector,” filed the same date asthe present application and incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicles, such as aircraft,and more particularly to electric power and data communications within afuel tank and across a wall of the fuel tank using resistivenon-metallic wire.

BACKGROUND

Installation of electrically conductive materials in a fuel tankrequires significant design detail and consideration to minimize apossibility of an electrical discharge within the fuel tank.Historically, non-metallic conductors such as carbon loaded plastics andfoams have been widely used for shielding and anti-static applications.When exposed to transient electric fields these materials are resistantto the high current flows and sparks that would ignite fuels.Additionally, accurate and dependable measurements of the quantity offuel in the tanks needs to be made.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, a system includes a fuel height sensorand a sealed connector extending through a wall of a fuel tank. Thesystem also includes an electric power connection between the fuelheight sensor and the sealed connector. The system additionally includesan internal data communications connection between the fuel heightsensor and the sealed connector, wherein the electric power connectioncomprises a resistive non-metallic wire.

In accordance with another embodiment, a vehicle includes a fuel tankand a power and data communications system within the fuel tank. Thepower and data communications system includes a fuel height sensor and asealed connector extending through a wall of the fuel tank. The powerand data communications system also includes an electric powerconnection between the fuel height sensor and the sealed connector. Thepower and data communications system additionally includes an internaldata communications connection between the fuel height sensor and thesealed connector, wherein the electric power connection comprises aresistive non-metallic wire.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for monitoring aquantity of fuel in a fuel tank includes inserting one or more fuelheight sensors in the fuel tank. The method also includes providing anelectric power connection between each fuel height sensor and a sealedconnector extending through a wall of the fuel tank. The methodadditionally includes providing an internal data communicationsconnection between each fuel height sensor and the sealed connector,wherein the electric power connection comprises a resistive non-metallicwire.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the resistive non-metallic wire comprises a carbon loadedthermoplastic.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the resistive non-metallic wire comprises a carbon loadedpolyether ether ketone (PEEK) thermoplastic.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the resistive non-metallic wire comprises a resistance betweenabout 100 ohms/meter and about 1 Mohms/meter.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the internal data communications connection comprises anotherresistive non-metallic wire.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the internal data communications connection comprises a signalhi resistive non-metallic wire and a signal lo resistive non-metallicwire.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the internal data communications connection comprises an analogsignal out connection.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the internal data communications connection comprises a digitalsignal out connection.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the internal data communications connection comprises an opticalsignal out connection.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,further comprising an external data communications connection outsidethe fuel tank between the sealed connector and an optical data converteror a data concentrator.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,further comprising an external data communications connection outsidethe fuel tank between the sealed connector and either a probe reader ora data concentrator.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,further comprising an external data communications connection outsidethe fuel tank between the sealed connector and a device of a corecomputer system (CCS).

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the external data communications connection outside the fueltank comprises a digital data bus, Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated(ARINC) bus, or a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the fuel height sensor comprises a fuel height probe and thefuel height probe comprises a local electric ground connection.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the fuel height sensor comprises a floating fuel height probewithout an electric ground connection.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,further comprising at least one of a data concentrator, a core computersystem, an optical reader, a probe reader, an amplifier, or a digitaldata bus, Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC) bus, or a ControllerArea Network (CAN) bus connected to the sealed connector.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the sealed connector comprises an internal electronic circuit.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,further comprising an external data communications connection betweenthe sealed connector and at least one of a core computer system device,an optical reader, a probe reader, an amplifier, or a digital data bus,Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC) bus, or a Controller AreaNetwork (CAN) bus.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,further comprising: a data concentrator communicatively coupled to thefuel height sensor through a resistive non-metallic wire on at least oneportion of a link between the data concentrator and the fuel heightsensor; and an input of the sealed connector configured to receive datafrom the fuel height sensor over the resistive non-metallic wire on theat least one portion of the link between the data concentrator and thefuel height sensor.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the resistive non-metallic wire is internal to the fuel tank.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,further comprising a data concentrator communicatively coupled to thefuel height sensor through a first wire and a second wire, wherein thefirst wire and the second wire have different electrical properties.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the first wire and the second wire are each in a differentenvironment. One environment is a wet environment and the otherenvironment being a dry environment.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,further comprising a data concentrator communicatively coupled to thefuel height sensor over a communications link comprising two or moresegments, wherein a first segment is over a resistive non-metallic wire.

In accordance with an embodiment and any of the preceding embodiments,wherein the data concentrator further comprises an output configured totransmit data based on fuel height data received from the fuel heightsensor to a fuel management system embodied on a core computer systemconfigured to convey a fuel quantity indication based on the fuel heightdata received from the fuel height probe.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can beachieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yetother embodiments further details of which can be seen with reference tothe following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a system forelectric power and data communications within a fuel tank and across awall of the fuel tank in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are an illustration of an example of a fuel height tocapacitance probe in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example of an active sealed connectorincluding an internal electronic circuit in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4-13 are examples of different electric power and datacommunications configurations for a fuel tank in accordance withdifferent embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an example of a vehicle including a system for power and datacommunications within a fuel tank and across a wall of the fuel tank inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of an example of a method for monitoring aquantity of fuel in a fuel tank in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of embodiments refers to theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of thedisclosure. Other embodiments having different structures and operationsdo not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Like referencenumerals may refer to the same element or component in the differentdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of an example of a system 100 forelectric power and data communications within a fuel tank 102 and acrossa wall 115 of the fuel tank 102 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The system 100 includes one or more fuel heightsensors 103 disposed within the fuel tank 102 and at different locationswithin the fuel tank to accurately measure a quantity of fuel in thefuel tank 102. Each fuel height sensor 103 includes a probe electronicspackage 104 and a fuel height probe 106. In accordance with anembodiment, the fuel height probe 106 is a fuel height to capacitanceprobe 200 similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2. Referring also to FIG.2, FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example of a fuel height tocapacitance probe 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The fuel height to capacitance probe 200 includes twoconcentric tubes 202 and 204. The fuel height 208 is measured bymeasuring the capacitance 206 between the concentric tubes 202 and 204placed in the fuel tank 102. The spacing 210 between the tubes 202 and204 is carefully controlled, and because the dielectric constant of fuelis approximately twice that of air, changes in the fuel height 208 canbe read by changes in the capacitance 206 measured between the tubes 202and 204. From the fuel height 208 reading given by the fuel height tocapacitance probe 200, the volume of fuel in the fuel tank 102 can bedetermined, and ultimately, the weight of the fuel 212 is calculatedbased on the density of the fuel 212 by a device 406 (FIG. 4). Inaccordance with an embodiment, for example the embodiment in FIG. 4,examples of the device 406 include, but are not necessarily limited to,a probe reader, a computer or other device. In the exemplary embodimentin FIG. 1, the fuel weight is calculated by a core computer system (CCS)130. The CCS 130 receives data from multiple fuel height sensors 103 anddata from a fuel density measurement to calculate total fuel weight on avehicle 129. The fuel weight is reported to a flight crew and/or aground servicing crew in the example of the system 100 being onboard anaircraft.

The probe electronics package 104 includes probe power electronics 108.The probe power electronics 108 receive electric power 110 from anelectric power source 112 located outside the fuel tank 102. The probepower electronics 108 include filters and provide stable electric powerto oscillators and other components of the probe electronics package104. In accordance with an embodiment, the probe power electronics 108also includes a power storage device 109, such as a capacitor, toprovide any additional power for increased power requirements duringfuel height measurement and/or communications. In another embodiment,the power storage device 109 is a separate component from the probepower electronics 108.

A sealed connector 114 extends through a wall 115 of the fuel tank 102.An electric power connection 117 between the sealed connector 114 to thefuel height sensor 103 provides electric power 110 from the electricpower source 112 outside the fuel tank 102 to the fuel height sensor103. The electric power connection 117 includes a resistive non-metallicwire 116. The sealed connector 114 is configured for connectingcomponents of the probe electronics package 104 within the fuel tank 102to elements outside the fuel tank 102, such as the electric power source112 and other devices for determining the quantity of fuel in the fueltank 102. The sealed connector 114 is electrically connected to theprobe power electronics 108 within the fuel tank 102 by the resistivenon-metallic wire 116. In accordance with an embodiment, at the sealedconnector 114, the electric power and communications signals transitionto metallic wiring outside of the fuel tank 102. In accordance with anembodiment, the resistive non-metallic wire 116 is a carbon loadedthermoplastic. In an example, the resistive non-metallic wire 116 is acarbon loaded polyether ether ketone (PEEK) thermoplastic. The resistivenon-metallic wire 116 includes a resistance between about 100 ohms/meterand about 1 Mega-ohms/meter. Components of the fuel height sensor 103and probe electronics package 104 are interconnected as illustrated inthe example in FIG. 1 by resistive non-metallic wire 116.

Referring also to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example of asealed connector 300 including an internal electronic circuit 302 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In accordancewith the example in FIG. 3, the sealed connector 300 is used for thesealed connector 114 in the example in FIG. 1. The sealed connector 300is an active sealed connector that communicates over resistivenon-metallic wire 116 to one or more digital probes 304 within the fueltank 102. Signals propagating over high resistance wire have a highsource impedance and require a high impedance active receiver totranslate those signals to those signals typically used on copperwiring. In accordance with an embodiment, each digital probe 304includes the fuel height sensor 103 in FIG. 1. In the example in FIG. 3,the sealed connector 300 is connected to a vehicle core computer system(CCS) 306 or a device of the CCS 306 by an external data communicationsconnection 125. In accordance with an example, the external datacommunications connection 125 uses standard copper wire data buses 308.The internal electronic circuit 302 of the sealed connector 300 readsdigital data from the digital probe 304 via the resistive non-metallicwire 116. The sealed connector 300 transmits the digital data onto thedata bus 308, for example, an aircraft data bus, such as a standardcopper wire Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC) bus, ControllerArea Network (CAN) bus or canbus, or mil-std-1553 data bus. At thedigital probe 304 the changing fuel level changes the capacitance whichis then read by a capacitance-to-digital converter, for example,capacitance-to-digital converter 118 in FIG. 1 and sent to amicrocontroller 122. The microcontroller 122 adds the probe ID numberand formats the data packet then transmits the data packet over aninternal data communications connection 123 between the fuel heightsensor 103 and the sealed connector 114 in FIG. 1 or 300 in FIG. 3. Theinternal data communications connection 123 includes a resistivenon-metallic wire 116.

In accordance with an embodiment, the active sealed connector 300 readsprobe data packets from multiple digital probes 304. For example, abouteight to about twelve digital probes 304 are connect to a single sealedconnector 300 via resistive non-metallic wire 116. The sealed connector300 collects the probe data from the multiple digital probes 304,formats the probe data into standard aircraft data bus packets andcommunicates the probe data directly to the vehicle CCS 306. At thevehicle CCS 306, the data bus packets are read so that the vehicle CCS306 now knows the fuel height at each digital probe 304. A softwareprogram within the vehicle CCS 306 then looks at height/volumerelationship tables, for example, curves of fuel probe levels vs volume,and calculates the total volume of fuel. Combining that data with ameasure or estimate of fuel density provides total weight of fuel ineach instrumented fuel tank 102. This information is provided to and/oraccessed by one or more different components of the vehicle 129 oraircraft, for example, the cockpit of an aircraft, refuel panel,diagnostics, etc. Once the CCS 306 software module has calculated totalfuel weight, the total fuel weight can be transmitted to whateverapplication on the aircraft needs this information.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the probe electronics package 104 alsoincludes a capacitance-to-digital converter 118. The fuel height probe106 is directly connected to the probe electronics package 104 thatincludes the capacitance-to-digital converter 118. The resistivenon-metallic wire 116 runs from the probe electronics package 104 to thesealed connector 114. An example of the capacitance-to-digital converter118 is an FDC1004 provided by Texas Instruments, Incorporated. Thecapacitance-to-digital converter 118 receives capacitance data from thefuel height probe 106 and converts the capacitance data to a digitalsignal 120. In the example in FIG. 1, the probe electronics package 104also includes a microcontroller 122 and a temperature sensor 124. Themicrocontroller 122 receives temperature measurements from thetemperature sensor 124 and receives digital signals 120 corresponding tothe fuel height 208 (FIG. 2) from the capacitance-to-digital converter118. The temperature sensor 124 is a digital or analog temperaturesensor. The temperature sensor 124 and the capacitance to digitalconverter 118 are connected to the microcontroller 122. Thecapacitance-to-digital converter 118, temperature sensor 124 and themicrocontroller 122 receive electric power from the probe powerelectronics 108. In accordance with the example illustrated in FIG. 1,the microcontroller 122 of the probe electronics package 104 iselectrically connected to the sealed connector 114 by resistivenon-metallic wire 116.

In accordance with an embodiment, the system 100 also includes anexternal data communications connection 125 outside the fuel tank 102.In accordance with the example in FIG. 1, the external datacommunications connection 125 includes a signal repeater/converter 126outside the fuel tank 102. The external data communications connection125 also includes copper wires 128 that electrically connect the signalrepeater/converter 126 to the sealed connector 114. The signalrepeater/converter 126 receives data signals from the microcontroller122 containing data indicative of a quantity of fuel 212 within the fueltank 102.

In accordance with another embodiment, a data concentrator replaces thesignal repeater/converter 126 to receiving data signals from themicrocontroller 122 via the sealed connector 114.

In the example in FIG. 1, a core computer system (CCS) 130 or a deviceof the CCS 130 receives digital signals 132 including fuel height datafrom the signal repeater/converter 126. The CCS 130 includes a fuelmanagement system 134 configured to determine at least a quantity offuel 212 in the fuel tank 102. In accordance with example, the signalrepeater/converter 126 is a data concentrator. The data concentratorincludes an output configured to transmit data based on the fuel heightdata received from the fuel height sensor 103 or sensors to the fuelmanagement system 134 embodied on the core computer system 130. The corecomputer system 130 is configured to convey a fuel quantity indicationbased on the fuel height data received from the fuel height sensor 103or sensors.

FIGS. 4-13 are examples of different electric power and datacommunications configurations for a fuel tank 102 in accordance withdifferent embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is an electricpower and data communications configuration 400 including an electricpower connection 117 and an internal data communications connection 123,each coupled between the sealed connector 114 and the probe electronicspackage 104. The electric power connection 117 and the internal datacommunications connection 123 both include resistive non-metallic wires116 similar to that previously described. A device 406, for example, aprobe reader, computer, etc. outside the fuel tank 102 is electricallyconnected to the sealed connector 114 by an external data communicationsconnection 125. In accordance with the example illustrated in FIG. 4,the external data communications connection 125 includes cooper wires408.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an electric power and datacommunications connection 500 including a plurality of probes 502 a-502n within a fuel tank 102. In accordance with an embodiment, each of theplurality of probes 502 a-502 n is a fuel height sensor 103 similar tothat described with reference to FIG. 1. Each of the probes 502 a and502 n are connected to a sealed connector 114 by a resistivenon-metallic wire 116 for both electric power and data communicationswithin the fuel tank 102. In accordance with an embodiment, a probereader 504 receives data signals from the probes 502 a-502 n via thesealed connector 114. In another embodiment, the probe reader 504 isreplaced by a data concentrator suitable for receiving high sourceimpedance signals. The data concentrator includes an interface 505configured to receive data from a system, such as system 100 forelectric power and data communications within a fuel tank 102 and acrossa wall 115 of the fuel tank 102. The probe reader 504 or dataconcentrator is electrically connected to the sealed connector 114 by anexternal data communications connection 125. In accordance with anexample, the external data communications connection 125 includes copperwires 506.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a four wire architecture 600 includinga fuel height probe 106 with a local electric ground connection 131. Anelectric power connection 117 within the fuel tank 102 includes a powerresistive non-metallic wire 602 a and a return power resistivenon-metallic wire 602 b connecting the probe electronics package 104 tothe sealed connector 114. An internal data communications connection 123within the fuel tank 102 includes a signal Hi resistive non-metallicwire 604 a and a signal Lo resistive non-metallic wire 604 b connectingthe probe electronics package 104 to the sealed connector 114. Theresistive non-metallic wires 602 a, 602 b, 604 a and 604 b are the sameas resistive non-metallic wires 116 in FIG. 1. The sealed connector 114is electrically connected to a probe reader 504 by an external datacommunications connection 125. In accordance with an example, theexternal data communications connection 125 includes a copper bundle608. In another embodiment, the probe reader 504 is replaced by a dataconcentrator.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a four wire architecture 700 includinga fuel height probe 106 with a local electric ground connection 131 andlocal power return. The local electric ground connection 131 provides anelectric current return path via a structural ground rather than a wirereturn path as illustrated in the example in FIG. 6. An electric powerconnection 117 within the fuel tank 102 includes a single powerresistive non-metallic wire 702 a connecting the probe electronicspackage 104 to the sealed connector 114. An internal data communicationsconnection 123 within the fuel tank 102 includes a signal Hi resistivenon-metallic wire 604 a and a signal Lo resistive non-metallic wire 604b connecting the probe electronics package 104 to the sealed connector114. The resistive non-metallic wires 702 a, 604 a and 604 b are thesame as resistive non-metallic wires 116 in FIG. 1. The sealed connector114 is electrically connected to a probe reader 504 outside the fueltank 102 by an external data communications connection 125. Inaccordance with an example, the external data communications connection125 includes a copper bundle 608. In another embodiment, the probereader 504 is replaced by a data concentrator.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a four wire architecture 800 includinga fuel height probe 106 with a local electric ground connection 131, alocal power return and a local data signal return. An electric powerconnection 117 within the fuel tank 102 includes a single powerresistive non-metallic wire 702 a connecting the probe electronicspackage 104 to the sealed connector 114. An internal data communicationsconnection 123 within the fuel tank 102 includes a single signal Hiresistive non-metallic wire 804 a connecting the probe electronicspackage 104 to the sealed connector 114. The resistive non-metallicwires 702 a and 804 a are the same as resistive non-metallic wires 116in FIG. 1. The sealed connector 114 is electrically connected to a probereader 504 outside the fuel tank 102 by an external data communicationsconnection 125. In accordance with an example, the external datacommunications connection 125 includes a copper bundle 608. In anotherembodiment, the probe reader 504 is replaced by a data concentrator.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a four wire architecture 900 includinga floating fuel height probe 106, i.e., the fuel height probe 106 is notgrounded. An electric power connection 117 within the fuel tank 102includes a power resistive non-metallic wire 602 a and a return powerresistive non-metallic wire 602 b connecting the probe electronicspackage 104 to the sealed connector 114. An internal data communicationsconnection 123 within the fuel tank 102 includes a signal Hi resistivenon-metallic wire 604 a and a signal Lo resistive non-metallic wire 604b connecting the probe electronics package 104 to the sealed connector114. The resistive non-metallic wires 602 a, 602 b, 604 a and 604 b arethe same as resistive non-metallic wires 116 in FIG. 1. The sealedconnector 114 is electrically connected to a probe reader 504 by anexternal data communications connection 125. In accordance with anexample, the external data communications connection 125 includes acopper bundle 608. In another embodiment, the probe reader 504 isreplaced by a data concentrator.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a four wire architecture 1000including an analog signal out connection 1001 and a floating fuelheight probe 106, i.e., the probe 106 is not grounded. An electric powerconnection 117 within the fuel tank 102 includes an excitation voltageresistive non-metallic wire 1002 a and a return resistive non-metallicwire 1002 b connecting the probe electronics package 104 to the sealedconnector 114. An internal data communications connection 123 within thefuel tank 102 includes a pair of analog signal out resistivenon-metallic wires 1004 a and 1004 b connecting the probe electronicspackage 104 to the sealed connector 114. The resistive non-metallicwires 1002 a, 1002 b, 1004 a and 1004 b are the same as resistivenon-metallic wires 116 in FIG. 1. The internal data communicationsconnection 123 includes the analog signal out connection 1001. Thesealed connector 114 is electrically connected to a probe reader 504 byan external data communications connection 125. In accordance with anexample, the external data communications connection 125 includes acopper bundle 608. In another embodiment, the probe reader 504 isreplaced by a data concentrator.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a four wire architecture 1100including a digital signal out connection 1102 from the probeelectronics package 104 and a floating fuel height probe 106 (noground). In accordance with the example illustrated in FIG. 11, anelectric power connection 117 within the fuel tank 102 includes anexcitation voltage resistive non-metallic wire 1104 a and a returnresistive non-metallic wire 1104 b connecting the probe electronicspackage 104 to the sealed connector 114. An electric power source 112outside the fuel tank 102 is connected to the sealed connector 114 by acopper wire 1105. An internal data communications connection 123 withinthe fuel tank 102 includes a pair of digital signal out resistivenon-metallic wires 1106 a and 1106 b. The resistive non-metallic wires1104 a, 1104 b, 1106 a and 1106 b are the same as resistive non-metallicwires 116 in FIG. 1. The internal data communications connection 123includes the digital signal out connection 1102. An external datacommunications connection 125 electrically connects the sealed connector114 to a CCS 130. In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the externaldata communications connection 125 includes a canbus 1112, digital databus or ARINC bus. The sealed connector 114 transmits the digital signalout 1102 to an amplifier 1108 outside the fuel tank 102 via a copperwire 1110. In accordance with another embodiment, the amplifier 1108 isreplaced by a canbus buffer. The digital signal out 1102 is transmittedfrom the canbus buffer or amplifier 1108 by a canbus 1112, digital databus or ARINC bus to the CCS 130.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a four wire architecture 1200including a combination optical and resistive communications connectionconfiguration 1202 and floating fuel height probe 106. In accordancewith the example illustrated in FIG. 12, an electric power connection117 in the fuel tank 102 includes a probe power in resistivenon-metallic wire 1204 a and a return power resistive non-metallic wire1204 b connecting the probe electronics package 104 to the sealedconnector 114. An electric power source 112 outside the fuel tank 102 isconnected to the sealed connector 114 by a copper wire 1205. An internaldata communications connection 123 within the fuel tank 102 includes anoptical signal out connection 1206 (fiber optic cable connection) thattransmits an electrical light emitting diode (LED) signal 1212 to thesealed connector 114. The sealed connector 114 is connected to anoptical data converter 1208 outside the fuel tank 102 by an externaldata communications connection 125. In accordance with an example, theexternal data communications connection 125 includes a fiber optic cable1210. In accordance with another example, the optical data converter1208 is replaced by a data concentrator.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a four wire architecture 1300including a combination optical and resistive communications connectionconfiguration 1202 and a fuel height probe 106 with a local electricground connection 131. In accordance with the example illustrated inFIG. 13, an electric power connection 117 within the fuel tank 102includes a probe power in resistive non-metallic wire 1204 a and areturn power resistive non-metallic wire 1204 b connecting the probeelectronics package 104 to the sealed connector 114. An electric powersource 112 outside the fuel tank 102 is connected to the sealedconnector 114 by a copper wire 1205. An internal data communicationsconnection 123 within the fuel tank 102 includes an optical signal outconnection 1206 (fiber optic cable connection) that transmits anelectrical light emitting diode (LED) signal 1212 to the sealedconnector 114. The sealed connector 114 is connected to an optical dataconverter 1208 outside the fuel tank 102 by an external datacommunications connection 125. The external data communicationsconnection 125 includes a fiber optic cable 1210 in accordance with anexample. In another example, the optical data converter 1208 is replaceda data concentrator.

FIG. 14 is an example of a vehicle 1400 including a system 1402 forpower and data communications within a fuel tank 102 and across a wall115 of the fuel tank 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the system 1402for power and data communications is the same or similar to theexemplary system 100 in FIG. 1 and includes any of the differentembodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1-13. In accordance withan example, the vehicle 1400 is an aircraft. The vehicle 1400 includes afuel tank 102. The fuel tank 102 includes a power and datacommunications systems 1404. The power and data communications system1404 includes a fuel height probe 106 and a sealed connector 114extending through a wall 115 of the fuel tank 102. The sealed connector114 includes an internal electronic circuit 302 (FIG. 3). The power anddata communications system 1404 also includes an electric powerconnection 117 between the fuel height probe 106 and the sealedconnector 114. The power and data communications system 1404additionally includes an internal data communications connection 123between the probe electronics package 104 of the fuel height sensor 103and the sealed connector 114. At least the electric power connection 117between the probe electronics package 104 and the sealed connector 114includes a resistive non-metallic wire 116.

The vehicle 1400 also includes a device 1410 outside the fuel tank 102.The devices 1410 is at least one of a data concentrator, a core computersystem, an optical reader, a probe reader, an amplifier, or a canbus.The device 1410 is connected to the sealed connector 114 by an externaldata communications connection 125. In accordance with anotherembodiment, the device 1410 includes a data connection 1412 between thesealed connector 114 and the device 1410.

The device 1410 or data concentrator is communicatively coupled to thefuel height sensor 103 through a resistive non-metallic wire 116 on atleast one portion 1415 of a communications link 1416 between the fuelheight sensor 103 and the sealed connector 114. An input 1417 of thesealed connector 114 is configured to receive data from the fuel heightsensor 103 over the resistive non-metallic wire 116 on the at least oneportion 1415 of the of the communications link 1416. The resistivenon-metallic wire 116 is internal to the fuel tank 102.

In accordance with an embodiment, the device 1410 or data concentratoris communicatively coupled to the fuel height probe 106 through a firstwire 1418 and a second wire 1420, wherein the first wire 1418 and thesecond wire 1420 have different electrical properties. The first wire1418 and the second wire 1420 are each in a different environment. Oneenvironment is a wet environment 1422 and the other environment is a dryenvironment 1424.

In accordance with an embodiment, the device 1410 or data concentratoris communicatively coupled to the fuel height probe 106 over acommunications link 1416 that includes two or more segments 1419,wherein a first segment 1419 a is over a resistive non-metallic wire anda second segment 1419 b is over a metallic wire.

In accordance with an embodiment, the device 1410 or data concentratorfurther includes an output configured to transmit data based on the datareceived from the fuel height sensor 103 to a fuel management system 134embodied on a core computer system, such as core computer system (CCS)130 in FIG. 1, configured to convey a fuel quantity indication based onthe data received from the fuel height sensor 103.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of an example of a method 1500 for monitoring aquantity of fuel in a fuel tank 102 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. In block 1502, one or more fuel height sensorsare inserted into a fuel tank 102. In accordance with an example, thefuel height sensors are similar to the fuel height sensors 103 describedwith reference to FIG. 1.

In block 1504, an electric power connection 117 is provided between eachfuel height sensor 103 and a sealed connector 114 extending through awall 115 of the fuel tank 102. The electric power connection 117includes any of the electric power connections previously described andthe sealed connector 114 is similar to sealed connector 114.

In block 1506, an internal data communications connection 123 isprovided between each fuel height sensor 103 and the sealed connector114. The internal data communications connection 123 includes any of theinternal data communications connection 123 embodiments previouslydescribed.

In block 1508, fuel height data is transmitted from each fuel heightsensor 103 to a device configured to determine the fuel height in thefuel tank based on the fuel height data from each fuel height sensor. Inaccordance with an example, the device incudes a fuel management system134 embodied on a CCS 130.

In block 1510, a fuel quantity indication is generated by the fuelmanagement system 134 based on the fuel height in the fuel tank 102. Inblock 1512, the fuel quantity indication is presented to an operator ofthe vehicle 129 or system, for example, via most any human-machineinterface (HMI).

Although the above embodiments have been described with respect to anaircraft, the embodiments and features described herein are not limitedto an aircraft and can be implemented in other vehicles, such as landvehicles and watercraft.

Further, the disclosure comprises embodiments according to the followingclauses:

Clause 1. A system, comprising:

-   -   a fuel height sensor;    -   a sealed connector extending through a wall of a fuel tank;        -   an electric power connection between the fuel height sensor            and the sealed connector; and        -   an internal data communications connection between the fuel            height sensor and the sealed connector, wherein the electric            power connection comprises a resistive non-metallic wire.

Clause 2. The system of clause 1, wherein the resistive non-metallicwire comprises a carbon loaded thermoplastic.

Clause 3. The system of any of clauses 1 or 2, wherein the resistivenon-metallic wire comprises a carbon loaded polyether ether ketone(PEEK) thermoplastic.

Clause 4. The system of any of clauses 1-2, or 3, wherein the resistivenon-metallic wire comprises a resistance between about 100 ohms/meterand about 1 Mohms/meter.

Clause 5. The system of any of clauses 1-3, or 4, wherein the internaldata communications connection comprises another resistive non-metallicwire.

Clause 6. The system of any of clauses 1-4, or 5, wherein the internaldata communications connection comprises a signal hi resistivenon-metallic wire and a signal lo resistive non-metallic wire.

Clause 7. The system of any of clauses 1-5, or 6, wherein the internaldata communications connection comprises an analog signal outconnection.

Clause 8. The system of any of clauses 1-6, or 7, wherein the internaldata communications connection comprises a digital signal outconnection.

Clause 9. The system of any of clauses 1-7, or 8, wherein the internaldata communications connection comprises an optical signal outconnection.

Clause 10. The system of any of clauses 1-8, or 9, further comprising anexternal data communications connection outside the fuel tank betweenthe sealed connector and an optical data converter or a dataconcentrator.

Clause 11. The system of any of clauses 1-9, or 10, further comprisingan external data communications connection outside the fuel tank betweenthe sealed connector and either a probe reader or a data concentrator.

Clause 12. The system of any of clauses 1-10, or 11, further comprisingan external data communications connection outside the fuel tank betweenthe sealed connector and a device of a core computer system (CCS).

Clause 13. The system of any of clauses 1-11, or 12, wherein theexternal data communications connection outside the fuel tank comprisesa digital data bus, Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC) bus, or aController Area Network (CAN) bus.

Clause 14. The system of any of clauses 1-12, or 13, wherein the fuelheight sensor comprises a fuel height probe and the fuel height probecomprises a local electric ground connection.

Clause 15. The system of any of clauses 1-13, or 14, wherein the fuelheight sensor comprises a floating fuel height probe without an electricground connection.

Clause 16. A vehicle, comprising:

-   -   a fuel tank; and    -   a power and data communications system within the fuel tank, the        power and data communications system comprising:    -   a fuel height sensor;    -   a sealed connector extending through a wall of the fuel tank;    -   an electric power connection between the fuel height sensor and        the sealed connector; and    -   an internal data communications connection between the fuel        height sensor and the sealed connector, wherein the electric        power connection comprises a resistive non-metallic wire.

Clause 17. The vehicle of clause 16, further comprising at least one ofa data concentrator, a core computer system, an optical reader, a probereader, an amplifier, or a digital data bus, Aeronautical Radio,Incorporated (ARINC) bus, or a Controller Area Network (CAN) busconnected to the sealed connector.

Clause 18. The vehicle of any of clauses 16 or 17, wherein the sealedconnector comprises an internal electronic circuit.

Clause 19. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-17, or 18, furthercomprising an external data communications connection between the sealedconnector and at least one of a core computer system device, an opticalreader, a probe reader, an amplifier, or a digital data bus,Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC) bus, or a Controller AreaNetwork (CAN) bus.

Clause 20. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-18, or 19, furthercomprising:

-   -   a data concentrator communicatively coupled to the fuel height        sensor through a resistive non-metallic wire on at least one        portion of a link between the data concentrator and the fuel        height sensor; and    -   an input of the sealed connector configured to receive data from        the fuel height sensor over the resistive non-metallic wire on        the at least one portion of the link between the data        concentrator and the fuel height sensor.

Clause 21. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-19, or 20, wherein theresistive non-metallic wire is internal to the fuel tank.

Clause 22. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-20, or 21, furthercomprising a data concentrator communicatively coupled to the fuelheight sensor through a first wire and a second wire, wherein the firstwire and the second wire have different electrical properties.

Clause 23. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-21, or 22, wherein the firstwire and the second wire are each in a different environment, oneenvironment being a wet environment and the other environment being adry environment.

Clause 24. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-22, or 23, furthercomprising a data concentrator communicatively coupled to the fuelheight sensor over a communications link comprising two or moresegments, wherein a first segment is over a resistive non-metallic wire.

Clause 25. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-23, or 24, wherein the dataconcentrator further comprises an output configured to transmit databased on fuel height data received from the fuel height sensor to a fuelmanagement system embodied on a core computer system configured toconvey a fuel quantity indication based on the fuel height data receivedfrom the fuel height probe.

Clause 26. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-23, or 25, wherein theresistive non-metallic wire comprises a carbon loaded thermoplastic.

Clause 27. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-25, or 26, wherein theresistive non-metallic wire comprises a carbon loaded polyether etherketone (PEEK) thermoplastic.

Clause 28. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-26, or 27, wherein theresistive non-metallic wire comprises a resistance between about 100ohms/meter and about 1 Mohms/meter.

Clause 29. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-27, or 28, wherein theinternal data communications connection comprises another resistivenon-metallic wire.

Clause 30. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-28, or 29, wherein theinternal data communications connection comprises a signal hi resistivenon-metallic wire and a signal lo resistive non-metallic wire.

Clause 31. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-29, or 30, wherein theinternal data communications connection comprises an analog signal outconnection.

Clause 32. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-30, or 31, wherein theinternal data communications connection comprises a digital signal outconnection.

Clause 33. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-31, or 32, wherein theinternal data communications connection comprises an optical signal outconnection.

Clause 34. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-32, or 33, furthercomprising an external data communications connection outside the fueltank between the sealed connector and an optical data converter or adata concentrator.

Clause 35. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-33, or 34, furthercomprising an external data communications connection outside the fueltank between the sealed connector and either a probe reader or a dataconcentrator.

Clause 36. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-34, or 35, furthercomprising an external data communications connection outside the fueltank between the sealed connector and a device of a core computer system(CCS).

Clause 37. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-35, or 36, wherein theexternal data communications connection outside the fuel tank comprisesa digital data bus, Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC) bus, or aController Area Network (CAN) bus.

Clause 38. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-36, or 37, wherein the fuelheight sensor comprises a fuel height probe and the fuel height probecomprises a local electric ground connection.

Clause 39. The vehicle of any of clauses 16-37, or 38, wherein the fuelheight sensor comprises a floating fuel height probe without an electricground connection.

Clause 40. A method for monitoring a quantity of fuel in a fuel tank,comprising:

-   -   inserting one or more fuel height sensors in the fuel tank;    -   providing an electric power connection between each fuel height        sensor and a sealed connector extending through a wall of the        fuel tank; and    -   providing an internal data communications connection between        each fuel height sensor and the sealed connector, wherein the        electric power connection comprises a resistive non-metallic        wire.

Clause 41. The method of clause 40, wherein the resistive non-metallicwire comprises a carbon loaded thermoplastic.

Clause 42. The method of any of clauses 40 or 41, wherein the resistivenon-metallic wire comprises a carbon loaded polyether ether ketone(PEEK) thermoplastic.

Clause 43. The method of any of clauses 40-41, or 42, wherein theresistive non-metallic wire comprises a resistance between about 100ohms/meter and about 1 Mohms/meter.

Clause 44. The method of any of clauses 40-42, or 43, wherein theinternal data communications connection comprises another resistivenon-metallic wire.

Clause 45. The method of any of clauses 40-43, or 44, wherein theinternal data communications connection comprises a signal hi resistivenon-metallic wire and a signal lo resistive non-metallic wire.

Clause 46. The method of any of clauses 40-44, or 45, wherein theinternal data communications connection comprises an analog signal outconnection.

Clause 47. The method of any of clauses 40-45, or 46, wherein theinternal data communications connection comprises a digital signal outconnection.

Clause 48. The method of any of clauses 40-46, or 47, wherein theinternal data communications connection comprises an optical signal outconnection.

Clause 49. The method of any of clauses 40-47, or 48, further comprisingan external data communications connection outside the fuel tank betweenthe sealed connector and an optical data converter or a dataconcentrator.

Clause 50. The method of any of clauses 40-48, or 49, further comprisingan external data communications connection outside the fuel tank betweenthe sealed connector and either a probe reader or a data concentrator.

Clause 51. The method of any of clauses 40-49, or 50, further comprisingan external data communications connection outside the fuel tank betweenthe sealed connector and a device of a core computer system (CCS).

Clause 52. The method of any of clauses 40-50, or 51, wherein theexternal data communications connection outside the fuel tank comprisesa digital data bus, Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC) bus, or aController Area Network (CAN) bus.

Clause 53. The method of any of clauses 40-51, or 52, wherein the fuelheight sensor comprises a fuel height probe and the fuel height probecomprises a local electric ground connection.

Clause 54. The method of any of clauses 40-52, or 53, wherein the fuelheight sensor comprises a floating fuel height probe without an electricground connection.

Clause 55. A data concentrator, comprising

-   -   an interface configured to receive data from a system for        electric power and data communications within a fuel tank and        across a wall of the fuel tank, the system comprises:        -   a fuel height sensor;        -   a sealed connector extending through the wall of a fuel            tank;        -   an electric power connection between the fuel height sensor            and the sealed connector; and    -   an internal data communications connection between the fuel        height sensor and the sealed connector, wherein the electric        power connection comprises a resistive non-metallic wire.

Clause 56. The data concentrator of clause 55, wherein the resistivenon-metallic wire comprises a carbon loaded thermoplastic.

Clause 57. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55 or 56, wherein theresistive non-metallic wire comprises a carbon loaded polyether etherketone (PEEK) thermoplastic.

Clause 58. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55-56, or 57, whereinthe resistive non-metallic wire comprises a resistance between about 100ohms/meter and about 1 Mohms/meter.

Clause 59. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55-57, or 58, whereinthe internal data communications connection comprises another resistivenon-metallic wire.

Clause 60. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55-58, or 59, whereinthe internal data communications connection comprises a signal hiresistive non-metallic wire and a signal lo resistive non-metallic wire.

Clause 61. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55-59, or 60, whereinthe internal data communications connection comprises an analog signalout connection.

Clause 62. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55-60, or 61, whereinthe internal data communications connection comprises a digital signalout connection.

Clause 63. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55-61, or 62, whereinthe internal data communications connection comprises an optical signalout connection.

Clause 64. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55-62, or 63, furthercomprising an external data communications connection outside the fueltank between the sealed connector and an optical data converter or thedata concentrator.

Clause 65. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55-63, or 64, furthercomprising an external data communications connection outside the fueltank between the sealed connector and either a probe reader or the dataconcentrator.

Clause 66. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55-64, or 65, furthercomprising an external data communications connection outside the fueltank between the sealed connector and a device of a core computer system(CCS).

Clause 67. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55-65, or 66, whereinthe external data communications connection outside the fuel tankcomprises a digital data bus, Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC)bus, or a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus.

Clause 68. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55-66, or 67, whereinthe fuel height sensor comprises a fuel height probe and the fuel heightprobe comprises a local electric ground connection.

Clause 69. The data concentrator of any of clauses 55-67, or 68, whereinthe fuel height sensor comprises a floating fuel height probe without anelectric ground connection.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments ofthe disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the”are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that theterms “include,” “includes,” “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when usedin this specification, specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present embodiments has been presented for purposesof illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to embodiments in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of embodiments.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that anyarrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may besubstituted for the specific embodiments shown and that the embodimentshave other applications in other environments. This application isintended to cover any adaptations or variations. The following claimsare in no way intended to limit the scope of embodiments of thedisclosure to the specific embodiments described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a fuel height sensor; asealed connector extending through a wall of a fuel tank; an electricpower connection between the fuel height sensor and the sealedconnector; and an internal data communications connection between thefuel height sensor and the sealed connector, wherein the electric powerconnection comprises a resistive non-metallic wire, wherein theresistive non-metallic wire comprises a resistance between about 100ohms/meter and about 1 Mohms/meter.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe resistive non-metallic wire comprises a carbon loaded thermoplastic.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the resistive non-metallic wirecomprises a carbon loaded polyether ether ketone (PEEK) thermoplastic.4. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal data communicationsconnection comprises another resistive non-metallic wire.
 5. The systemof claim 4, wherein the internal data communications connectioncomprises a signal hi resistive non-metallic wire and a signal loresistive non-metallic wire.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein theinternal data communications connection comprises an analog signal outconnection.
 7. The system of claim 4, wherein the internal datacommunications connection comprises a digital signal out connection. 8.The system of claim 1, wherein the internal data communicationsconnection comprises an optical signal out connection.
 9. The system ofclaim 8, further comprising an external data communications connectionoutside the fuel tank between the sealed connector and an optical dataconverter or a data concentrator.
 10. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising an external data communications connection outside the fueltank between the sealed connector and either a probe reader or a dataconcentrator.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising an externaldata communications connection outside the fuel tank between the sealedconnector and a device of a core computer system (CCS).
 12. The systemof claim 11, wherein the external data communications connection outsidethe fuel tank comprises a digital data bus, Aeronautical Radio,Incorporated (ARINC) bus, or a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. 13.The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel height sensor comprises a fuelheight probe and the fuel height probe comprises a local electric groundconnection.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel height sensorcomprises a floating fuel height probe without an electric groundconnection.
 15. A vehicle, comprising: a fuel tank; and a power and datacommunications system within the fuel tank, the power and datacommunications system comprising: a fuel height sensor; a sealedconnector extending through a wall of the fuel tank; an electric powerconnection between the fuel height sensor and the sealed connector; andan internal data communications connection between the fuel heightsensor and the sealed connector, wherein the electric power connectioncomprises a resistive non-metallic wire; and an external datacommunications connection between the sealed connector and at least oneof a core computer system device, an optical reader, a probe reader, anamplifier, or a digital data bus, Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated(ARINC) bus, or a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus.
 16. The vehicle ofclaim 15, wherein the sealed connector comprises an internal electroniccircuit.
 17. A method, comprising: inserting one or more fuel heightsensors in a fuel tank; providing an electric power connection betweeneach fuel height sensor and a sealed connector extending through a wallof the fuel tank; and providing an internal data communicationsconnection between each fuel height sensor and the sealed connector,wherein the electric power connection comprises a resistive non-metallicwire; and providing an external data communications connection betweenthe sealed connector and at least one of a core computer system device,an optical reader, a probe reader, an amplifier, or a digital data bus,Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC) bus, or a Controller AreaNetwork (CAN) bus.
 18. A data concentrator, comprising an interfaceconfigured to receive data from a system for electric power and datacommunications within a fuel tank and across a wall of the fuel tank,the system comprises: a fuel height sensor; a sealed connector extendingthrough the wall of a fuel tank; an electric power connection betweenthe fuel height sensor and the sealed connector; and an internal datacommunications connection between the fuel height sensor and the sealedconnector, wherein the electric power connection comprises a resistivenon-metallic wire.
 19. A system, comprising: a fuel height sensor; asealed connector extending through a wall of a fuel tank; an electricpower connection between the fuel height sensor and the sealedconnector; an internal data communications connection between the fuelheight sensor and the sealed connector, wherein the electric powerconnection comprises a resistive non-metallic wire; and an external datacommunications connection between the sealed connector and at least oneof a core computer system device, an optical reader, a probe reader, anamplifier, or a digital data bus, Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated(ARINC) bus, or a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus.
 20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the resistive non-metallic wire comprises a resistancebetween about 100 ohms/meter and about 1 Mohms/meter.
 21. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the fuel height sensor comprises a fuel height probeand the fuel height probe comprises a local electric ground connection.22. The system of claim 19, wherein the fuel height sensor comprises afloating fuel height probe without an electric ground connection.